The Boothbay Region Special Olympians are hot off the slopes from the 2019 Winter Games which ended Jan. 29. Coach Toby LeConte reported her Boothbay region athletes won nine gold medals, 12 silver and 11 bronze. Nine athletes placed fourth, four placed fifth, five placed sixth and one placed seventh.

The athletes made amazing improvement from last year, said LeConte. She said Zander Blake moved from level two skiing to level three through sheer determination, as he practiced all season to master the patience and control needed for the increase in incline.

Vincent Giles skied beautifully on level two, but expressed a last minute interest in trying level three. LeConte was not sure if he could handle the focus and control needed, but Vincent bet a $10 Disney gift card he could do it.

“He was perfect, outstanding, over the top.”

Coyle Lawler tried skiing for the first time this year, so he was in level one, but he improved his snow plough turning so well, he stepped up to level two, LeConte said.

“He fired up in the last two practices. He's got it, he got it down really well. Without a hesitation I could send him to level three if we went tomorrow.”

Amber Hyson also won her first gold medal ever racing level three.

“She was out of her bat cage when she won the gold because she's worked so hard at it.”

Gracie, Vincent and Valerie Giles had the honor of lighting the torch this season. LeConte said the Giles siblings and the entire team were thankful for the opportunity and for the help the entire Special Olympics community gave last year when a fire left the Giles family homeless while the three athletes were away competing.

LeConte said help at the Olympic events from the Boothbay region was a little short this year, so student John “Piper” Rankin stepped up to help volunteers and athletes do what needed to be done.

“Every time I had somebody new, (Piper) had to show them exactly what needed to happen – where they go, what they do – and he stepped right up to it. He did it and he did it beautifully.”

LeConte said the athletes had a blast watching the fireworks and participating in the torch light parade, but the best part was definitely the dance.

“This year's theme was 'Ugliest Sweaters.' The Boothbay team went to the thrift stores and bought 20 ugly sweaters and we cut ours to bits. We cut big holes in them, we cut arms off … Everybody was laughing that we had the best.”

LeConte said she and the athletes are especially grateful to all those who helped this year: Roberta Blaney, Earl Brewer, Lori Ranco, Don Dickson, Christy Tozier, Mary Pawlowski, Dee Hines and high school sophomore Kyle Tozier. Former students returning to the slopes and to volunteer were: Ronda LeConte, Matt Farnham, Donnie Dunning, Joey Ranco and Danny Miller. Much appreciated support also came from Hyde School and Carrabassett Valley Academy.

Said LeConte, “It was a blast, it was a great time as always. We didn't have any mishaps and everybody was just so excited.”